http://www.sheknows.com/articles/parenting/school-and-educationSat, 01 Aug 2015 07:10:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1091135/gifts-for-homesick-college-students
This fall, many students will leave the comfort of home and head off to college; sadly, many of them will have to cope with homesickness. According to academia.edu, an alarmingly high number of students every year are affected by homesickness, which is defined as the distress caused by separation from home and parents; the statistics around this phenomenon are eye opening:

95 percent of students who go away to college experience some form of homesickness.

Surrounding freshmen with images of friends and family, and other objects that remind them of home, might help ease their separation anxiety.

Here are seven ideas freshmen can proudly rock that will give them comforting feelings of home.

1. Throw blanket with picture

Image: PictureItOnCanvas

This fleece blanket is perfect for when a student is studying, or just relaxing and watching a movie in between classes and hanging out with friends. It can be purchased at PictureItOnCanvas.com for $100.

2. A homemade quilt of their favorite T-shirts from childhood

Image: Anne Grace Nimke

This idea is awesome! Have mom or grandma get together a bunch of old, comfy T-shirts and turn those bad boys into a quilt that will put a smile on the student's face when she/he is away at school.

Above is an example of what it looks like once you select all the T-shirts.

3. Regular Skype or Facetime calls

Telephones are great, but there is no substitute for seeing the face of a loved one. Scheduling time to talk "live" via the computer, mobile phone or tablet is a great way to stay connected to loved ones and friends back home.

4. Let them rep their crib with a T-shirt by The Home T

The Home T has tons of shirt options that will let students show off where they're from and have a little fun. Like this California baseball T-shirt example.

5. Candles that smell like home

Bed Bath and Beyond has a great selection of candles, like this Yankee Candle, pineapple cilantro option. Growing up, my home didn't smell like pineapples and cilantro, but maybe it should have!

6. Photo throw pillow

Image: PictureItOnCanvas

This photo throw pillow is a great way to decorate a dorm or apartment bed and, at a glance, remind the student of friends and family at home! It too can be found at PictureItOnCanvas.com, for only $70.

7. Photo collages on removable wallpaper

And finally, there is WeMontage.com, which is my company, and is the world's only website that lets you turn images into a large collage on removable wallpaper. The removable aspect is key because putting nails in walls to display photos isn't allowed in dorms and some apartments.

Because WeMontage is custom and comes in large sizes, it gives you more of what you enjoy about photos. More love. More happiness. And more inspiration. All of which should help ease homesickness in college freshmen.

Here's a great video made by students at UNC-Chapel Hill explaining why they think removable photo wallpaper is a good option for students:

Removeable Photo Wallpaper

Removeable Photo Wallpaper

Prices start at $60 for a 3 x 2-foot WeMontage.

WeMontage is fighting homesickness in college freshmen by giving away 100 removable wallpaper montages to U.S. students via its Facebook page.

There you have it, seven ideas to help students cope with homesickness and get back to having fun in college and being great students!

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1091135/gifts-for-homesick-college-studentsFri, 31 Jul 2015 21:00:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1087842/concerns-when-starting-kindergarten
Starting kindergarten can be scary for kids, but believe it or not, it might be worse for parents. I was a complete mess during the weeks leading up to my oldest daughter's first day of school, and the act of actually leaving her was nothing short of terrifying.

I told myself for months that she would be fine, and that I had to hold it together for her sake — but when that morning finally arrived, I was a hopeless, whimpering pile of snot and tears.

Yes, this big step meant that my baby was growing up, but honestly, that wasn't the cause of my distress. I was scared out of my mind. As a work-at-home mom, my girl had spent her whole life at my hip, and I was about to send her out into the world... alone.

My husband, seeing me in tears, thought I had lost my mind. And for a moment, I'll admit, I thought I may have boarded the crazy train that August day. Thankfully, speaking with other moms has reassured me that I wasn't alone in my anguish. In fact, parenting and child development expert Denise Daniels confirmed that my reaction was actually quite normal.

"For parents, it's a developmental milestone," says Daniels of the first day of school.

With the help of Daniels and a few "been there, done that" parents, I'm going to tackle parents' most common kindergarten fears and concerns one by one, so you can spend the big day way less freaked out than I was.

1. They'll be scared

Many parents worry that their littles will be scared of their first day of school. It's all a huge change for them, so there's a good chance they will be. You can help lessen that fear, though, by not letting them see you scared. Learn from my mistakes — save your crying for later, mama.

"They need to know that we have confidence in them," said Daniels. "Kids are very intuitive, and if you're stressed out or anxious, they'll feel that."

2. They'll miss me

I know this is the last thing you want to hear, but you're going to miss them a lot more than they'll miss you. They just don't have the time! Kindergarten is not what it was when we were in school. Gone are nap times and hours of building with blocks on the carpet. Their days are packed tight with learning and fun and recess and more. By the time they get a chance to think about missing you, it'll be time to go home. It does help, though, to reassure your kiddo that the day will end and you'll be reunited. Tuck a note into their lunch box for a midday reminder that you're thinking about them.

3. They'll get lost

School is a big new place, and that can be intimidating for both mamas and their babies. It's not likely, though, that your little one will be sent to navigate the halls on their own on the first day. Kindergarten classes tend to travel in packs, and their teachers are not going to send them out alone to get lost.

To help put aside these fears, Daniels suggests touring the school with your child ahead of the school year. "Visit the school, and find out where everything is. Where are the bathrooms? Where is the teacher?" Knowing all of this ahead of time will help you both feel more in control on day one.

4. They won't eat lunch

Parents, this is one fear that may very well turn into a reality those first few weeks, and there's not a lot you can do about it. They're probably not used to the short time they're allotted to complete their meals, and there is just so much socializing to do during the lunch hour. Pack some foods they really love to help entice them to munch, and rest assured that what they eat at snack time will keep them from starving before they get home.

If you suspect your child isn't eating because of a nervous stomach, talk with their teacher. My daughter brought her lunch home virtually untouched for the first month of school, and it turned out the anxiety of socializing with kids who were not yet her friends made her appetite non-existent. Thankfully, the teacher who had lunch duty saw what was happening and took a few minutes every day to calm her down and persuade her to take a few bites. As the year progressed, her social anxieties disappeared — and so did her lunch.

5. They won't make friends

It seems so easy for kids to make new friends, but that's not always the case. Especially when they're overwhelmed with an environment and schedule that's also completely new. And not all kids are social butterflies.

"Teachers are saying that over 30 percent of the students entering their classrooms lack the necessary social skills. Teachers believe that learning those skills is important," said Daniels. She encourages parents to teach their children how to make friends when they are as young as two, by teaching them how to communicate properly with us, and with others around them. "Homes are their first classrooms and we are their first teachers," she said.

If you stay at home with your children, make sure they are exposed to other children now and then. Encourage them to interact and play nice, and set up role-playing games at home to help them learn how to strike up a conversation.

Daniels warns against forcing introverted children to interact too much, though. "Start off slow, with play dates, and enlist your child's help in deciding on any activities."

6. They'll get bullied

You'll be shocked to learn that mean kids exist even at this young age, and there are probably a few on the playground with your kid at recess. It's inevitable that one day your child will come face to face with a bully, but everything will turn out fine if they know how to handle it.

Daniels advises tackling this subject with a serious conversation. Let them know they might find someone at school who isn't nice, but that they don't have to put up with it. "Tell them they have three options," she added. "Walk away, tell the teacher or play with other kids." She recommended role playing the situation at home so your kiddo won't be caught off guard.

"We're waiting too long to teach these kids how to handle this," said Daniels. "Start early, at home, so they know they'll be able to take care of themselves at school."

7. Their teachers won't care for them enough

This one was my biggest concern. When my daughter was at home, she was loved, watched, cared for and well taken care of. But I was about to hand her off to a perfect stranger who had 24 other children to take care of at the same time. It didn't take me long to realize that I was worrying for nothing.

Teachers, especially those who work with very young children, are special people. They know that when you drop your children off at school, you are leaving your entire world in their hands until the final bell rings. They take that job very seriously.

To put your mind at ease, get to know the teacher. Request meetings before or after school, or email her every now and then just to touch base. If you're able, spend some time in the classroom. Teachers are always looking for parent volunteers, and seeing your child's teacher in action, watching the way she loves them all as if they were her own, will put your mind at ease.

8. They won't learn fast enough

Children learn at different paces, and no one knows this better than your child's teacher. Do your parental duty by reading up on what they should know before they get there, and work on it long before the first day of school. But don't feel bad about the things they just can't get. I can promise you, your child will not be the only one at orientation who cannot tie his shoes. Once school starts, be honest with your child's teacher about where your child excels and struggles.

Your child's teacher will likely keep you very involved in the learning process, so you're far from helpless in this area. Keep in contact with the teacher. Work together to overcome obstacles and you'll become partners in your child's success.

9. They'll miss their bus stop

I've never put my child on the bus, but it's not because I don't live on the bus route. It's because I'm terrified of letting her ride the bus. All those kids! All those stops! What if she misses her stop? What if she gets off on the wrong place?

Now that I have a year of elementary school parenting under my belt (that makes me an expert, right?), I realize that these fears were unfounded. My child's school, as well as most other schools, aren't new at this whole busing thing. They know the littles are new to the process, and they have a system in place to make sure they don't slip through the cracks.

If you have the ability to take your child to school yourself and you want to, by all means, do. But if you need to put them on the bus, have no fear. Most schools offer some kind of orientation for bus riders so they know the rules before school starts. If your district doesn't offer that, call up the bus garage and see if you can arrange for a personal orientation leading up to the big day. On the first day, walk your child onto the bus and introduce them to the driver. When it's time for drop-off, make sure you or someone you know is there to meet your child at the bus stop, and don't let the bus pull away until your child's hand is in yours.

One last tip

According to Daniels, one of the biggest problems is that moms are feeling bad about feeling bad, and that just makes things worse. "They haven't given themselves permission to be sad," she added. "It's important to remember that they're not alone in this, that all parents feel this way."

She recommends you work through your grief — and that's exactly what it is — by talking to other parents in the same situation. "It's amazing what wonderful support you can get from other parents," she said.

More for moms

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1087842/concerns-when-starting-kindergartenTue, 28 Jul 2015 12:49:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090975/how-to-prepare-your-child-for-a-milestone-grade
The first day of school is never without some stomach butterflies. And nowhere is this more apparent than a milestone year: the first day of elementary, middle and high school. While there's no way to erase the tension your child feels, you, the parent, can lessen it by anticipating problems and being prepared in ways that are sensitive to kids in each age range.

The first day of kindergarten

It’s a big and scary world out there. Even if your child has participated in playgroups before, school is structured and full of new people. It's important to send your child the right message; keep your own fears to yourself and project confidence in your child’s ability to handle the change. Frame this brave new world as a place to have fun, make new friends and learn new skills.

Help your child feel more comfortable by driving the car (or bus) route to school, walking the grounds, and, if possible, visiting the actual classroom. Meeting the teacher is even better. It can also be helpful to arrange playdates with some classmates if they are new to your child.

Despite your best efforts, separation anxiety is a real possibility. As impossible as it sounds, let go. Healthychildren.org recommends a reassuring hug and then leaving the classroom promptly. Remember that the clingiest kid in the morning is often the same one who doesn’t want to go home at the end of the day.

The first day of middle school

For tweens accustomed to being at the top of the elementary school pecking order, junior high is a shock. Many will have to change classes multiple times a day, expected to be much more organized and take a much greater share of responsibility. Because most kids will have a built-in support system of friends, the best you can do is lend a sympathetic ear and help them be prepared. Check the classroom list and head to your local office supply store with your child. That way, you eliminate the heartbreak of buying the wrong color binder. Buy in bulk — and don’t forget extras to donate to the classroom; paper, hand sanitizer and highlighters are welcomed by most teachers.

Shopping for fickle tween clothing tastes can get pricey. Buy basics like jeans and graphic tees online from merchants that invite coupon stacking, such as Kohl's and Target, and shop the back-to-school sales as early as possible.

Finally, help middle schoolers with organization: it's a skill they will use for the rest of their academic life. It can be helpful to color-code binders and spirals by class, or number classroom materials to correspond with class period. These tips help less organized kids manage quick locker trips between classes and assemble study materials.

The first day of high school

Even though freshmen return to the bottom of the pecking order, high school is a fresh start. Kids start to find their niche, explore new interests and make new friends. Having the right look — however it's defined — is critical at this age, so it's a good idea to get take your incoming freshman shopping with you. Compromise on what you and your teen are comfortable with. For many girls, having a properly decorated locker is equally important. Look online for cool adornments like stickers, magnetic mirrors, liner paper — even mini chandelier-style lights. The Container Store and LockerLookz are popular destinations.

Academically, high school kids require structure and good habits. Find a study skills group, tutor or an older student who is willing to share organization tips.

Attitude is everything

Your first lesson as a parent: think back to your first day of a new grade, a new school, a new transition. Each milestone is an end and a new beginning. You can help your child make the best of each by being prepared with the right supplies, the right attitude and the right amount of help.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090975/how-to-prepare-your-child-for-a-milestone-gradeTue, 28 Jul 2015 09:49:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090959/boy-reads-junk-mail-books
A Utah mailman on his route saw a little boy furiously reading junk mail. The reason is totally heartbreaking.Twelve-year-old Mathew Flores loves to read, but he doesn’t have any books at home, so he reads newspapers and junk mail instead.

"I asked him about going to the library, and he said he couldn't afford the bus pass," the mailman, Ron Lynch, said. He struck up a conversation with Mathew after the boy asked if Lynch had any extra junk mail for him to read.

Touched by the little boy, Lynch got on Facebook and asked his friends to donate books to Mathew.

Matthew Flores

Matthew Flores

The post went viral, getting responses from as far away as India and Australia, and Mathew has more books than he knows what to do with.

Mathew isn’t alone. More than half of low-income families don’t have a single book in the home. And statistics show that even if Mathew never reads a single one of those books, he has a better chance at success in life simply by virtue of having them in his house.

Want to predict how successful a kid is likely to become? Count the number of books in their house. In fact, research shows that the quantity of books in the house is more important in determining a kid’s future success than the father’s education level. Even in the digital age, experts say there’s just no substitute for kids' future success than a good old-fashioned print book.

The good news is that there are plenty of nonprofits dedicated to getting good books into the hands of kids who need them. Dolly Parton runs a charity called the Imagination Library, which sends free books to more than 800,000 kids. Many states have programs like Georgia’s Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy, which delivers free books to kids up to 60 times in their childhood. Look around in your area for similar programs that offer free books for kids.

Once the books are in the home, it becomes a domino effect of benefit for the kid. In one study, parents who were given books by their doctor were four times more likely to read those books to their children. Children whose parents read to them are better prepared to excel in school. And the majority of kids — two-thirds — who aren’t reading proficiently by the fourth grade will wind up in jail or on welfare, according to research.

It’s important for all of us that every kid, regardless of their parents’ income level, has access to books. Support book drives and nonprofits that promote childhood literacy in your area. And like Mathew’s mailman friend, when you see a kid hungry to read but starved for books, help them. Research shows that putting a book in a kid’s hand is probably the best thing you can do to help ensure their future.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090959/boy-reads-junk-mail-booksThu, 23 Jul 2015 11:15:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090545/mother-shares-shocking-video-of-her-daughter-being-knocked-unconscious-by-bullies-for-having-wrong-trainers
If your child is being bullied your first instinct might not be to post a video of the awful ordeal on social media. But two mothers have recently taken that step to shame the bullies accused of the attacks.In the first video 12-year-old Katie Morris is seen having her hair pulled by classmates in a playing field at Ashby-de-la-Zouch's Ivanhoe College. Katie claims she was spat on, kicked in the face and thrown on to nettles last month, after she stood up to a gang of girls who were making fun of her shoes.

Katie was knocked unconscious during the attack and later treated in hospital.

The ordeal was filmed by an onlooker and later posted online by Katie's mother, Antonia King, in order to bring her daughter's alleged bullies to "justice" and to try to stop them picking on anyone else.

After being posted on Ms. King's Facebook page, the video has been uploaded to an anti-bullying website and has been viewed more than 325,000 times, reported the Daily Mail.

Another clip shared on social media by a furious parent shows a group of girls viciously attacking 15-year-old Sophie Nevard and setting fire to her hair extensions. The bullies filmed the attack then uploaded it to Snapchat and Instagram, reported the Daily Mail.

Following the attack in Dartford, Kent, Sarah Nevard posted the clip on her own Facebook page to try to expose her daughter's attackers, writing: "These two girls, aged 18, had beaten up my 15-year-old daughter and filmed it. Humiliating her by burning her hair extensions and laughing about it on Snapchat. Absolutely fuming."

Video of girl being attacked by bullies

Video of girl being attacked by bullies

Video: Latest News/YouTube

Will a bit of online shaming make bullies think twice about their behaviour? Perhaps. Although those who seem to take some kind of perverse pride in their attacks, as demonstrated by Sophie Nevard's bullies who boasted about their actions on social media, may see it as just another form of self-promotion.

What Antonia King and Sarah Nevard have done, is show that bullying is real, it's happening across the U.K. and it's a problem that needs to be addressed. Schools need to firm up their anti-bullying policies and parents of bullies need to step up and do what they can to stop it happening.

More on bullying

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090545/mother-shares-shocking-video-of-her-daughter-being-knocked-unconscious-by-bullies-for-having-wrong-trainersThu, 23 Jul 2015 08:38:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090391/why-teachers-shouldnt-be-responsible-keeping-kids-covered-suncream
Four pupils from Buile Hill Visual Arts College in Salford were so badly burnt during a school trip to a waterpark near Barcelona that they required treatment at the burns unit of Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on their return home. It's sparked a debate about who was responsible: the teachers in charge or the pupils themselves? After one of the parents criticised the four teachers, who accompanied the 41 pupils on the trip, for not making enough of an effort to ensure the teens were protected from the sun another parent has come forward to say she doesn't blame the teachers.

Wendy Cunnah, mother of 13-year-old Joshua, says it was her son's own fault that he got so badly burnt. Nursery nurse Wendy agreed with the school's head teacher, James Inman, who stated that the staff had taken all necessary steps to warn the pupils about the risks of sun exposure.

“The children were told numerous times to put suncream on by the teachers," said Wendy, as reported in the Manchester Evening News. “My son had Factor 30 which I had packed for him. He put it on before he got to the waterpark and again once he got there. But he was having such a good time on the slides, he then forgot to put it on again. He accepts full responsibility. He called me from Spain and said he had been burned. I told him to shower and use aftersun. I believe the teachers could not have done more.”

I find it a bit of a stretch to blame the teachers for this one. If the pupils were younger it would be a different story. But surely 13-year-olds are old enough to take responsibility for their own suncream application?

It seems that more and more demands are being placed on teachers, with the lines between what they are and aren't responsible for becoming increasingly blurry.

Answering a question in the House of Lords, education minister Lord Nash said "there is nothing to prevent schools from having a policy of inspecting lunch boxes for food items that are prohibited under their school food policies".

In June Cherry Tree Primary School in Colchester angered parents when children had scotch eggs and Peperami confiscated by staff. A nut cereal bar and packet of 100 percent fruit chews were also reportedly taken from pupils because of their hidden sugar.

But what teacher wants to spend time inspecting pupils' lunch boxes? The responsibility for providing healthy packed lunches and snacks for kids lies solely with the parents and, if they choose to ignore the advice and guidelines of the school, teachers shouldn't have to pursue the matter.

The same applies to all basic life skills. Such as toilet training. Unbelievably some parents send their kids to school without mastering this, believing that the teacher will "sort it out." Of course, accidents happen and the younger the pupils, the more they may view a teacher as a surrogate parent during school hours. But there's no way toilet training falls within the remit of a teacher's role under any circumstances.

The Guardian's "Secret Teacher" said earlier this year that she's seen "several children start school in nappies or — even worse – without them for the first time." She also reveals she has "two children who regularly arrive [at school] in pushchairs."

Ultimately a teacher is responsible for delivering the national curriculum to her pupils. Teaching basic life skills isn't part of the package and nor should parents expect it to be. That goes for toilet training young kids and putting suncream on older ones.

More on SheKnows UK

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1090391/why-teachers-shouldnt-be-responsible-keeping-kids-covered-suncreamMon, 20 Jul 2015 07:41:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1082884/how-to-prepare-your-child-for-high-school
Transitions can be difficult, and your student's switch from middle to high school is no different. To best prepare her for the new environment and expectations, try introducing a few changes at home. Here are several of the areas where middle school and high school may differ; keep these in mind while you prepare your student for the switch.Workload

The older your student gets, the more difficult and plentiful the work will become. To help prepare for this, have your student try completing assignments before the due date. More homework in high school means more to accomplish each night; even if a math worksheet isn't due for a few days, there may be homework from other classes that also must be completed during that time. Help her get in the swing of things now by working on assignments as soon as they are assigned.

Self-sufficiency

Your student will most likely be required to complete research papers in high school, with much of the work done outside of the classroom. Is she ready to look for reputable sources and find her own answers? Try remembering this when your child looks to you for help with a project or task. Whether she asks how far away Grandma's house is or wonders about how the U.S. Electoral College works, let your child look it up on her own. You are always there to make sure she finds the correct answer, but by letting her do the legwork you're helping her build research skills.

In addition to knowing how to find her own answers, be sure your child is ready to manage her own schedule. Try implementing a paper datebook into her routine, since electronics may not be allowed in all classrooms, so she can keep track of due dates, class schedules and exams.

Time

In addition to having more work, the first bell may ring at a different time in high school than it did in middle school. A few weeks before summer ends, try having your child slowly adjust to these times, both the required wake-up time and the corresponding bedtime, to avoid having an exhausted teen on the first day of high school.

Tools

Look through your student's class listings and see if there are any differences in supplies than were previously required. If her middle school didn't have lockers, make sure she feels comfortable working her school and gym combination locks. Perhaps graphing calculators are new this year; buy one in advance so she can get the feel for how it works. By helping your student feel acquainted with new tools, you may increase her confidence so she enters these new challenges with her head held high.

Rules

Keep your child from inadvertently breaking a rule and read up on the high school's policy together. What is the dress code? Are backpacks allowed in class? Does a school ID need to be kept on the student at all times? The expectations and requirements may vary vastly from middle school.

Competition

From top grades to athletic endeavors, the competitive vibe of high school may be much stronger than that during middle school. Many students are preparing to compete for acceptance into selective colleges, which may make things like the high school student council election much more intense. Let your student know that awards, teams and classes may be more competitive now than they were in middle school, but that should not discourage her from trying.

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1082884/how-to-prepare-your-child-for-high-schoolMon, 20 Jul 2015 07:15:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1089969/head-teacher-solves-problem-expensive-summer-family-holidays-using-inset-days
Let's face it, kids don't come cheap. So every saving helps. Which is why Catherine Barnett, head teacher of Eveswell Primary School in South Wales, is the object of much admiration right now. Mrs Barnett's idea to help parents save on their family holiday costs is genius so let's hope other schools around the country follow suit.

It's a little controversial — but none of the parents of her pupils will be complaining. Mrs Barnett has decided to schedule all five staff training days — known as "inset" days — during one week in June next year instead of spreading them throughout the year as is the common practice.

Because pupils don't attend school on inset days, this allows families of the 485 Eveswell Primary School pupils to book cheaper summer holidays since the week falls before the official end of term. Which, as we all know, is when the airlines and holiday companies hike their prices up.

“There will be five training days for staff where the school is closed to pupils," said Mrs Barnett, as reported in the Daily Express. “It has been decided to take these as one whole week with the hope that cheaper holidays can be booked and therefore holidays will not affect attendance at other times in the year.”

Taking pupils out of school for extended periods during term time — classed as an "unauthorised absence" — is frowned upon across the U.K. and, since September 2013, head teachers in England have only been permitted to grant time off during term time in "exceptional circumstances." Before this parents were allowed to take their kids out of school for up to 10 days per academic year.

An increasing number of education authorities impose fines of £60 on parents who break these rules.

However, the threat of a fine appears to do little to deter parents, who would rather pay £60 than shell out hundreds of pounds more for a family holiday during the school summer break than they would at any other time of the year. In some cases holidays are £500 more expensive during the summer holidays.

“I am very happy," said parent Kirsty Powles of Mrs Barnett's decision. "I think it’s a fabulous idea. I just hope holiday companies don't click on to it and put prices up."

Last year a petition calling for price caps to stop holiday providers taking advantage of school holiday demand was unanimously rejected by MPs as not being a "practical solution." So, unless more head teachers get their thinking caps on, it looks like pupils will continue to be taken out of school for their summer holiday — fine or no fine.

More on family holidays

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1089969/head-teacher-solves-problem-expensive-summer-family-holidays-using-inset-daysFri, 17 Jul 2015 01:21:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1089875/retiring-teacher-gets-flash-mob-on-her-last-day-at-school
Forget a card and a bunch of flowers. Pupils at St. Julian's Primary School in Newport know how to give their teachers the retirement gift of a lifetime. On playground duty on her last day teaching at St. Julian's, Mrs Gabica was probably reminiscing about the 25 years she'd spent at the primary school. What happened next took her by surprise.

The playground turned into the setting for an amazing flash mob, which had been organised by fellow teachers and involved the entire school giving Mrs Gabica a send-off to remember. Just brilliant.

Retiring teacher flash mob

Retiring teacher flash mob

Video: SouthWalesArgus/YouTube

More on SheKnows UK

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1089875/retiring-teacher-gets-flash-mob-on-her-last-day-at-schoolThu, 16 Jul 2015 10:00:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1087790/tips-for-student-success
As summer starts to wind down and back-to-school supplies start popping up on store shelves, it's natural to want to prepare your child as well as possible for the new school year... ergo the overzealous purchasing of My Little Pony pencils and spiral Spider-Man notebooks. But aside from the joyous task of checking items off your child's school supply list, the real prepping happens at home. To help you get ahead before the first bell rings, we asked elementary school teachers to share the tips for success they offer the parents of their own students. Here's what they had to say:

2. "Read, read, read with them, and then read some more. Even if they know how to read... keep it up. Email the school, and ask for a summer reading list." — Cami Parrish

3. "Sit down with them when they do their homework. Ask the teacher how you can support the learning at home. Read with your child daily. Limit TV time and video game time so that it is less than the amount of time reinforcing skills like multiplication facts and spelling. Trust the teacher's judgement." — Shelley Miller

4. "Read to and with your kids. Every day. Especially during the summer months." — Merica Dyar

5. "Turn off the computer — unless required for homework, in which case, then supervised. Turn off the TV. Talk to your kids about school: what they did, saw, heard. Make education a priority. Spend quality time with your kids. Take them to the library or book store and find a book series that they find interesting. If they like a book (series) they will read, read, read... and if a student can read, they can learn." — Anne Minshew

6. "Read to them, talk to them and have them answer you using correct grammar and in complete sentences if they can." — Dianne Lewis

7. "I would tell parents, and I do every year, that myself as their teacher and they as the parents are a closed circuit to their child's success. Constant communication and support on both ends are a must. Just as I give students opportunities to learn, explore, problem solve and become critical thinkers, they too need to offer very similar experiences. It is also important for children to be encouraged, yet disciplined — discipline in regards to studying and losing privileges, but encouraged by being made to feel nurtured and successful." — Audrey Gruber

8. "Read, read, read! Let them know you care about their education. Support their teacher and have a good relationship. Do not speak negative about the school or the teachers in front of them." — LeAnne Troutman

This post was brought to you by X-ACTO® Pencil Sharpeners.

More on early education

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1087790/tips-for-student-successThu, 16 Jul 2015 09:02:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1089789/school-bans-spicy-crisps-after-they-cause-pupil-to-stop-breathing
A school has been quick to ban a new, limited edition variety of Doritos after one pupil stopped breathing while eating them.The super-spicy Doritos Roulettes — which have already been banned by food standard agencies in the United States — have been deemed a health and safety risk by teachers at George Pindar School in Scarborough, and parents have been sent a letter warning them that the crisps can cause "severe distress", reports The Telegraph.

The Doritos U.K. website states that "Most of the Doritos in the [Roulette] pack are the delicious Tangy Cheese flavour that you love, but one chip in every handful is so spicy it may bring you to tears." This means that if the taster chows down on one of these spicier-than-normal crisps — which are coated in an invisible chilli powder — they're in for a very hot surprise.

The powder measures 78,000 units on the Scoville Heat Scale (by comparison, a Scotch Bonnet pepper rates between 100,000 and 350,000). The front of the crisp packet does come with a warning, stating: "Some of these chips are ultra spicy."

Parents have praised the school for taking action in banning the crisps and advising pupils to stay away from them.

The school revealed that the pupil who became ill after eating a bag of Doritos Roulettes had a pre-existing respiratory condition, which was triggered by the heat of the crisps. But we're guessing even kids without a medical condition wouldn't fancy having their heads blown off by their break-time snack.

Best to avoid this one, mums and dads.

More parenting news

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1089789/school-bans-spicy-crisps-after-they-cause-pupil-to-stop-breathingThu, 16 Jul 2015 05:00:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1087798/homework-tips
If you ask your children, chances are they'll tell you their homework is no big deal. But as an educational tool, homework does serve an important purpose. As parents, it's our job to foster a healthy desire for learning in our children, and homework is a big part of that. If you're anything like me, though, you might be a little rusty at geometry and you aren't 100 percent certain how accurate the answers are. Or perhaps it isn't you who is struggling with an assignment, but your child.

Just how important is it to get homework right? Should a premium be placed on the work, or on the act?

"I think homework in and of itself is not where worry should be directed, as much as consistent accountability and structure is," says Priscilla Johnson, second-grade teacher and instruction-technology specialist at Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary School in North Charleston, South Carolina.

When children are younger, such as those of elementary school age, homework should focus more on forming good habits and encouraging development.

To accomplish this, Johnson follows a few specific rules strategically when handing out assignments. "I only assign work that can be done within 30 to 45 minutes, and the assignments are based on direct instruction given previously in the classroom," she explains. "My homework assignments are recurrent so that my second graders can develop a routine around completing their assignments at home."

As children get older and progress in their academic career, shifting the focus slightly to pay more attention to accuracy gets more important.

"Kids are more likely to follow through when they know that their parents are holding them accountable for their school assignments at home. Parents' main concern should be placed on creating a comfortable working place for their children, making sure their children have copied their assignments down accurately and going over completed assignments afterward to ensure that they have been done thoroughly and accurately," says Johnson.

As your child moves from elementary school into middle school and beyond, more opportunities emerge as a parent to start a dialogue with your child about homework and schoolwork as a whole.

"Ask your child about homework with the same natural interest you would display when asking a friend about a good book," advises Joella Good Newberry, a fifth-grade teacher at Bear Creek Elementary School in Boulder, Colorado. "Use the same respect for what your child is reading and doing as you would for a friend's new job or project at work."

In high school, a child's homework load may increase exponentially, leading to a larger time commitment and, naturally, more reticence on the part of your teen. At this point in your child's academic career, it is particularly important to both give your child more freedom to do homework when and where (notice that didn't include if) they choose. However, failure to complete assignments at this juncture could lead to far more serious repercussions than, say, a missed assignment in elementary or middle school — e.g., compromising GPA, jeopardizing scholarships, etc.

At this age, staying in tune with your child's academic life can be as easy (or as difficult, as we all know) as sitting down for dinner.

"A simple way of value learning is to discuss learning at the dinner table," says Dr. Sam Goldstein, Ph.D., in Seven Steps to Homework Success: A Family Guide for Solving Common Homework Problems. "For example, each child can take turns talking about what was learned that day at school. You can talk about work experiences or current events. These discussions might also involve problems or conflicts that were encountered at school or work, solutions that were chosen and questions that remain. Such discussions communicate that effort, interests and even making mistakes are vital in the process of learning and growing."

"The encouragement of interests will be significant in moving your child towards independence — and can be more important in the long term than the specific grades your child receives," says Goldstein.

Andrea Greibner, a mother from Southern California, echoes this notion from personal experience. "My daughter Lily's teacher wrote us a thank-you note for taking our daughter up to the La Brea Tar Pits," she shares. "This was while she was studying the time period, and she did a report on saber-toothed tigers. She included information she learned at the museum, along with pictures she had taken. Her teacher thought that was awesome!"

In a sense, you can consider these kinds of conversations as your homework as your child grows older and prepares to leave the proverbial nest.

This post was brought to you by X-ACTO® Pencil Sharpeners.

More on your child's education

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1087798/homework-tipsFri, 10 Jul 2015 14:00:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086452/prepare-for-back-to-school
Moms of the world are letting out a collective sigh of relief… or maybe that's a big ol' groan of despair in unison. However you look at it, school is out. Summertime is in full swing.It doesn't matter whether you’re anticipating summer or completely dreading it because you're going to blink and it will all be gone. You'll be facing fall and back to school head on: making lists, wondering how you’re going to get it all done and also wondering where the hell the time went.

No matter how you feel about the onset of summer vacation, most moms agree back to school time is madness. Here are five things you can do right now to get a jump on your to-do list.

1. Schedule doctor’s appointments

If your child will need booster shots or a sports/school physical, book it now. Don’t wait only to get trampled in the, "OMG I've waited until the last minute and so has everyone else. I need an appointment now. What do you mean there aren't any available until mid-November?" madness. Get on your doctor's calendar now... then go to the pool and have fun.

2. Stock up

You might not get your child's school supply list until a few hours before class starts. OK, I'm exaggerating. A little. Seriously, the mass invasion of your local Target to elbow the other parents in the Crayola aisle may not be something you can avoid, but if you have an idea of what the basics are going to be, get them now. Most students need pencils, folders, paper and a new backpack or lunch box. Grab those items now and minimize your exposure to the frenzied last-minute, back to school shoppers in a couple of months.

3. Ditch the clothes shopping

Maybe it's tradition for you to Instagram a cute picture of your kids wearing spiffy new outfits on their first day of school. Don’t let me stop you. But instead of binge shopping for school clothes in August when you have an attack of, "My kid has been wearing the same two pairs of shorts for six weeks and nothing else fits," why not buy a couple of nice school outfits now? How much can a kid grow in less than two months? Maybe don’t answer that one and buy a little big to accommodate summer growth spurts.

You can always fill in the gaps or stock up once the back to school shopping frenzy has died down. We always plan our year so that we buy the bulk of kids' clothes right after Thanksgiving to take advantage of the Black Friday prices.

4. Get ahead on school lunches

If your kids pack their lunches, take some time this summer to get organized. Stock up on sandwich bags and nonperishable lunch fixings. Beat the rush to buy a cute new reusable lunch bag and plan out a few menus so that what to pack won’t be something you really have to think about. My kids are not sandwich fans so I’m constantly challenged with what to pack. Look for things on sale now that will keep in your pantry and lunches will be a cinch for you the first week of school.

And last but not least...

5. Plan your fun now

If you don't have a summer bucket list, why not whip one together? Don’t let the start of the new school year find you saying, "I wish we would have…"

A few minutes now to get organized and ready will get your summer off to a great start and save you some stress when it’s time to send your little darlings back to school.

Camp is a good thing. In fact, the American Camp Association says, "the organized camp experience is a vital component in the development and education of the whole child."

Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself to help determine what kind of camp is right for you and your family.

What is appropriate for my child's age?

Your kid's age will determine whether they are ready to even consider a sleepaway camp. Experts say kids under 7 years old are probably too young to go away from home. But beyond the "sleepaway camp or not" debate, your child's age will also determine the types of activities they are allowed to participate in. Thoughtfully consider where your child is developmentally and look for a camp with age-appropriate friends and programs.

What can I afford?

Camp can get expensive — as much as college in some cases. So before you fall in love with that three-week surf camp in Malibu, make a budget you can live with and stick with it.

How much time do I want my child to spend at camp?

The amount of time you want your child to spend at camp will make a big difference in both the price of camp and the types of programs you want to consider. Many specialty camps, like arts camps or even sports camps, run on a weekly basis. If you need something more full time consider a more traditional day camp that offers more of a variety of activities.

What kinds of activities does my child like doing?

If your kid is a musical prodigy or baseball superstar, look for camps that help them explore their talents. There are camps for theater, science and karate and camps to suit just about any activity or kids' personality. Also consider your kids' special needs. Do they have a medical condition that needs to be monitored? Food allergies? A disability? Seek out camps that meet their needs and let them participate fully to help ensure a positive experience.

Are there any activities you wish your kid would try?

Camp can also be a great time to get your kid out of their comfort zone. Maybe you wish your kid would get a little more fresh air and outside activity, or you want to encourage them to make some new friends. Away from their daily routine, camp can be a perfect time for kids to reinvent themselves with a new experience.

How are your kid's academics?

If your child is struggling in school, there are camps focused on academics that can give them a leg up when they're back in school. Summer camps focused on academics can be a fun way for kids to look at learning in new way in a new environment. By the same token, gifted kids who might be bored in the classroom can benefit from challenging specialty camps in STEM, reading, writing and math.

What are the other kids doing?

Other parents are usually the most reliable resource when finding the right camp for your kids. Ask around at school pickup or post in Facebook and other chat groups any questions you have about options in your area. You might just find out about the groovy new gymnastics camp at the local college you never knew about or find out that pricey sports camp isn't worth the money. Your kids' teachers and coaches can also be a great source of information about camps that are out there.

Would you like your child to get religious training at camp?

Kids have been attending religious camps for generations. If you're looking for an opportunity to give your child a bit more religious exposure and education, check with your local house of worship for camp options for kids of all ages.

More on summer camp

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1087828/summer-camp-tipsThu, 18 Jun 2015 15:11:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086756/how-to-protect-students-data
For many parents, understanding student data is an unavoidable aspect of the contemporary schooling system. From the Common Core to the college admissions process, data surrounds our children and saturates our media. Naturally, the articles you read, the news stories you see or even the forms your student brings home from school may raise more questions than they answer. Below are four more questions. However, these questions can lead to critical conversations about educational data, and they can help you learn what you need to know about your own child's data."What types of data do you collect?"

Your student's school likely collects data from a variety of standardized assessments, including the ACT and the PARCC. However, this may not be the only form of data administrators and teachers gather. Your child's attendance may be recorded, as well as her class grades. Her instructor may even observe and document her behavior during group work or independent work, or as she completes a particular task. It is your right as a parent to know what type of educational data is collected about your student, so don’t be shy about asking her principal and teacher. Chances are they'll be more than happy to tell you.

"How will you use this data?"

Once you're familiar with the sources of your child's data, investigate how this information will be used. Do statewide assessments, together with your student's grades, determine whether she is promoted to the next instructional level? Do her grades affect which classes she can register for (AP, IB, dual-credit, honors, etc.)? Are certain types of data only applicable to school accreditation or teacher evaluations? These details may be available on the school district's website or on your school's individual website. You may also find additional details in a school newsletter or in the main office.

"Who has access to my child's data?"

Some forms of educational data, such as classroom observations, may be intended for just two parties, the teacher and the parent or two instructors. Others, like PARCC results, may be viewed by parents, instructors, school and district administrators and so on. When you ask this question, inquire about whether "big" data like PARCC scores is presented blind (in other words, presented with a less personal identifier like a number, rather than a name). You can also research consent policies; to what degree can you control who sees this data, and in what form they view it?

"Is this data secure?"

All educational data is sensitive, and should be treated as such. This may be accomplished in a number of ways; teachers might store anecdotes or notes in a locked desk drawer, while digital score reports for the ACT or SAT might require a login and password to access the server where they're stored. Many forms of student assessment are relatively new, and like any new system, errors can occur. Being proactive about the safety of your child's educational data is an excellent idea, as is learning about the who, how and what of this data.

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086756/how-to-protect-students-dataTue, 16 Jun 2015 19:35:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1085648/how-to-narrow-down-prospective-colleges
Choosing a college can be an incredibly difficult task for your teen. While it may seem to your student that finding an interesting school is difficult, with the plethora of university options, narrowing down the list will likely prove to be more of a challenge. What can you do when your student can't pick just a few colleges to apply to? Here are a few things to keep in mind about the application process, as well as some ways in which you can help.How many is enough?

Your student should have a short list of top picks, plus at least one backup option just in case. While there is no magic number of schools to apply to, between three and seven tends to be a comfortable selection. If she wonders why she can't apply to all, say, two dozen schools she is interested in, remind her of the application fees and required time. Does she really want to send subpar essays to schools she may be interested in because she was too rushed to edit? Applying takes time and often money, so keeping the list within reason is vital.

What about reach and safety schools?

Have her aim for variety. A quick online search of the schools she is interested in may show you that all of them are incredibly selective, or perhaps the opposite, and none of the schools she shows interest in will be challenging to get into. Look for a balance between the levels of exclusivity, with schools she could most likely be accepted to taking up the largest percentage, followed by some highly-selective and highly-open options. A combination of practical schools, reach schools and safety schools can be very beneficial.

How do we weed down the list?

Her short list of schools should have a proper balance of institutions that offer her desired major, as well as any athletics or extracurriculars she knows she would be interested in. If she is an avid golfer, it is better to know now if the college has a team. For incredibly long lists of potential college choices, try using a short list of must-haves as a deciding factor. For example, perhaps her must-haves are an Elementary Education program, a student newspaper and an option to study abroad. If you really need to make cuts on the list, remove any that don't fit all requirements and see what is left. Why apply to nine schools if only five can offer everything she wants?

Help her think past the education by asking about other factors, such as the location, campus culture and cost. Will she know anyone on the campus? What about in the city or state? How much is tuition, in case she does not receive financial aid? Is dorming available to all students? These questions can shine light on possible trouble areas.

Also, discuss her would-be day-to-day life to spot any bad matches. For example, if she won't have a car, a school in a city without reliable public transit may not be a good fit. Likewise, if she is worried she'll get homesick, attending a school in a state where she knows no one may not make sense.

By narrowing down the list to a curated handful of colleges, your student can start the application process focused on the schools that would work best for her.

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1085648/how-to-narrow-down-prospective-collegesTue, 16 Jun 2015 16:47:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086610/how-to-introduce-your-child-to-a-second-language
In today's globalized society, bilingualism has perhaps more benefits than ever before. Studies show that learning a second language as a child can be sincerely easier, and that those who are bilingual may have better cognitive skills, in addition to other various benefits. If you plan to teach your child a second language, here are a few fun and simple ways to start the introduction and reinforce new skills.

1. Food

Begin her studies somewhere simple, like a restaurant, to introduce the language in a fun and delicious way. Try using a few new words for things on the table. Perhaps you can tell her you're having eau or agua to drink. If there aren't any authentic restaurants serving the cuisine of the language's area, try looking up recipes together online and cooking them at home. Whether you're making enchiladas, souvlakia or pelmeni, a dish from another place may be an exciting starting point for your student's language studies.

2. Music

Ever notice how much easier it often is to memorize a song than a speech? Help your child hone her language skills with music! Check out music in the language your child is studying by looking online or borrowing discs from the library. While instrumental music can be a good introduction to the culture, be sure to look for music with words, such as children's songs, so you can hear the language in action.

In addition to listening to music from another culture, try listening to music your student already knows sung in a different language. Something with a familiar context, like "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," might help her with her Italian. Look up lyrics online and start singing!

3. Books

Does your child love reading? Not all bedtime stories need to be in your native language! Try looking for your student's favorite book translated into another language, or a new book that comes in two languages: both your native language and the one your child is studying. In both cases, your student can compare and contrast the texts. Ask her which words are very similar, and which are the most different.

4. Games

You can transition one of your favorite games into a different language. Decide which aspects, such as counting money, numbers or colors, should be in the new language based on your student's learning level. For example, early learners may only be able to count the spaces in Monopoly in Mandarin Chinese, while a more advanced student could play the whole game in the language. Try playing Guess Who? in Spanish or Go Fish in French to work on descriptive words, commands and more.

5. Cultural events

Look for events around town that are rooted in the culture of the language you're teaching your child. Whether the theme is food, dance, history or music, a cultural festival can help your student show what she has learned and introduce new areas of study.

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086610/how-to-introduce-your-child-to-a-second-languageTue, 16 Jun 2015 04:52:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086660/primary-school-bans-cartwheels-handstands-because-too-dangerous
One of my favourite memories from my school days is doing handstands up against the brick wall in the playground. Over and over again. My friends and I spent most of our lunchtimes upside down, taking an occasional break to refuel (cheese sandwiches and Hula Hoops) and perhaps squeeze in a couple of cartwheels on the grass. Isn't it always fun to look at the world from a different angle?

I'm sure we had a few scrapes and falls during our gymnastic exertions but I don't remember any of them. I only remember how good it felt to have an hour of freedom from the classroom to run, jump and contort our bodies into whatever position we wished.

Fast forward more years than I'd care to count and things are a little different. Old Priory Junior Academy in Devon has banned pupils from carrying out all "gymnastic activities" like handstands and cartwheels. The primary school made the decision after children suffered "a number of minor injuries to wrists and to backs," reported the BBC.

Nobody wants kids to get hurt. But isn't it just as dangerous to wrap them up in cotton wool as to let them practise a few cartwheels during playtime? Some of the parents think so. Alison Russell, whose child goes to the school, called the ban "ridiculous" and "silly."

"It's health and safety gone mad," said another parent, Lewis Harvey. "Kids should be able to do what they want in the playground as long as they don't hurt anyone else."

Old Priory Junior Academy's interim head teacher Emma Hermon-Wright explained the reason for the decision: "Over a series of a few days we had quite a few [injuries] for the same reasons. The children said they had been doing cartwheels and handstands and had fallen and we thought it was causing us a problem at school. In PE lessons in primary schools they are carefully supported and carefully controlled to help learn skills of this nature and we have very good gymnastic capabilities in our school."

"[On break times] we've got a lot of children in one go and you can't be supporting every child for a backward roll, forward roll, cartwheel, handstand or whatever they're doing at play time," she added. "Ultimately, the safety and wellbeing is our responsibility and it is paramount to everything we do here."

Ms. Hermon-Wright also said that the ban was only a temporary measure until school staff figured out a way of allowing the pupils to take part in gymnastic activities under staff supervision.

More on SheKnows UK

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086660/primary-school-bans-cartwheels-handstands-because-too-dangerousWed, 10 Jun 2015 14:52:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086124/tips-for-an-educational-beach-vacation
For many parents and students, the beach is a natural summer destination. Whether you and your child visit the shores of a lake, river or ocean, the sand, sun and water simply cannot be eclipsed by any other summer destination.

A beach vacation is both flexible and relaxing, and this summer it can be educational too. Students of all ages can learn about the natural world with minimal preparation on their parents' part. How? Here are three tips for an educational beach vacation.

1. Begin with a question

Prior to the start of your beach vacation (ideally one to two weeks prior), speak with your child about your approaching trip. If your family has visited the beach before, ask her about her favorite aspects of the vacation. Does she enjoy swimming, or does she love the bumper cars on the boardwalk? Does she fondly remember the smell of salt water? If this is your first trip to the beach, look for pictures and videos online that can introduce your student to the experience. In both cases, be sure to ask if she has any questions about your destination. For instance, a young child may wonder why certain crabs burrow in the sand, while an older student may take an interest in the geological formation of the beach itself. You can then use one, two or three of these questions to focus your vacation-long educational inquiry.

2. Form a hypothesis

As stated above, limit your "big" questions to three or fewer. This will enable you and your child to explore each topic in depth, and it will also allow you to devote a portion of your vacation to non-educational pursuits; after all, balance is key to an enjoyable and informative trip. For each question, develop a hypothesis. For example, perhaps your student believes that small crabs burrow in the sand to hide from predators or to sleep undisturbed. Once you settle on a possible explanation, document any evidence that supports or refutes this hypothesis. One way to do so is to carry a journal that your child can write in whenever she uncovers new information. Consider letting her choose its design, and select a size that is easy to store in a beach bag.

3. Seek an expert opinion

Whether you do so during or after your vacation, verify (or disprove) your explanation with an expert opinion. If you are visiting a beach that is part of a state park, stop in at its information center. Information centers often include displays on the ecology and formation of the park, and in some instances, there may even be live talks or tours. You can also extend the excitement of your trip by patronizing your local library once you return home. Depending on your vacation location, you may be able to find articles, websites or books that discuss your particular beach, or more generic resources may be sufficient to address your student's hypothesis. Either way, your trip to the beach is sure to be fun-filled and educational this summer!

For more tips and strategies to help your student succeed in school, visit varsitytutors.com.

]]>http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1086124/tips-for-an-educational-beach-vacationTue, 09 Jun 2015 11:54:00 -0700http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1085994/should-my-child-get-another-degree
Graduation is here, and your college student is finally finished! Or is she? With certain fields, you know your student will need additional education before she can begin working. She can't be a doctor or lawyer with only a bachelor's degree. However, plenty of fields do not require advanced degrees, and yet many people continue to enroll for additional studies. There are ample reasons why someone may do this, from higher pay to the love of learning, but as a parent, you may be worried your child is becoming a "perpetual student," or the kind of young adult who stays in school to avoid "the real world."While you cannot decide what she will do, below are a few questions you can ask to help her think of the bigger picture and decide if another degree is a good idea.

What career do you hope to get after finishing the next degree?

Having a degree and knowing what you want to do as a profession are not one and the same. Help make sure she is on the right track by asking about her ideal job after graduation. Doing this before she begins her next degree is key, as she may find out she needs a specific degree or certification in order to move into that field. Should that dream job be something that has hiring age restrictions (like some law enforcement positions, for example), be sure to point that out.

She also may finish school and not know what type of job she would like at all. To avoid that situation, ask her to complete a free online interest assessment. Try taking the results and applying them to the area(s) she studied and look for overlap. For instance, if she has earned a degree in Spanish and appears to be most interested in helping others, have her speak to a college advisor about how she could overlap the two, perhaps working as a bilingual social worker or with a non-profit. She can then ask said advisor what degree, if any, she should pursue next to move into that field.

What other careers could you have with your degrees?

Is there a back-up plan in case that position is not available? Have her think (or research) what other careers are available in that field.

How important is real-world experience in your field?

The importance of time spent working varies in value from career to career. Ask her to talk to someone who works in her desired field in order to find out whether extra education is more or less beneficial than work experience.

Is this degree going to make you appear overqualified for entry-level positions?

Being overqualified for a position may not be an advantage. Not only can it lead to "underemployment" (working in a position for which you are overqualified), but can result in issues repaying student loans and turnover concerns from possible employers. A hiring manager may worry that someone with a Ph.D. applying for an entry-level position is simply waiting for a bigger, better job to appear.

Do you need this degree right now?

Ask her if the degree is a required prerequisite for her career. If it is icing on the cake, perhaps she would be better off entering the workforce now and revisiting the degree down the road. Online and evening classes are often available for working professionals.

How will you finance this degree?

This is not a question meant to set you up (as the parent) to foot the bill, it is simply good to remind her of the cost of the degree. Perhaps she'll say she found an assistantship and won't be paying tuition. If she hasn't thought of debt-free ways to earn the degree, ask her to think long and hard about the cost, as well as possible ways to save.

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